Envelope for distribution of compact discs and blank for manufacture of same

ABSTRACT

An envelope for distribution of compact discs such as CD, DVD and CD-ROM discs, which is in the shape of a pocket with an upper closure and with separable flat parts, where one of the three sides of the pocket consists of a fold and the remaining two sides consist of glued seams formed by folded connecting flaps wherein the front surface of the envelope and/or its back surface is provided with at least one printed label for insertion into compact disc packages, preferably arranged as a separable flat part of the envelope with defining perforations.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The technical solution involves the arrangement of an envelope for distribution of compact discs, for example CD, DVD and CD-ROM discs, and a blank for manufacture of same.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

At the present time two basic types of packaging are used for compact discs, for example CD, DVD and CD-ROM discs. The first is a plastic box with inserted paper labels and booklet, in which there is a base to clamp the hole in the centre of the disc. The other method is to insert the disc into a paper pocket pasted together with glue and a flap. After inserting the disc, the pocket is closed on the free side with clips or self-adhesive tape applied from the outside across the front and back sides of the opening.

A series of different packages exists for distribution of flat compact discs or envelopes into which they can be inserted. Some of them have perforations permitting the detachment of separable parts of the envelope or package. They are described for example in patent file CZ 297532, utility model DE 202005012697, DE 2005012780, DE 102006012770, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,355,718, 4,863,032, 4,905,831, 5,101,973, 5,154,284, 5,248,032, 5,255,785, 5,662,217, 5,749,463, 6,494,319, 6,612,433 and patent application US 2006/0283729

The aim of the present technical solution is to arrange an envelope for distribution of compact discs and a blank for manufacture of said envelope, which allows the consumer to remove the labels directly from the envelope for subsequent insertion into the plastic box of the compact disc, with the least amount of waste material, the only left-over material being the pieces from the front and back sides of the envelope.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject of this technical solution is an envelope for distribution of compact discs, for example CD, DVD and CD-ROM discs, which is in the shape of a pocket with upper closing means and with separable flat parts, where one of the three sides of the pocket consists of a fold and the remaining two sides consist of glued seams formed by folded connecting flaps. The basis of the technical solution lies in the fact that the front surface of the envelope and/or its back surface is provided with at least one printed label for insertion into compact disc packages, preferably arranged as a separable flat part of the envelope with defining perforations.

The label on the back surface of the envelope can be furnished, in the area of its two opposite ends, with weakened lines for bending these ends after separating the label from the envelope.

The upper closing means can consist of a flap which is part of the front surface of the envelope and is adapted by means of weakened lines for folding across the back surface of the envelope whilst, to ensure the closing of the envelope, the closing flap is furnished with side notches. Alternatively, the upper closing means can consist of a flap which is part of the front surface of the envelope and is adapted by means of a weakened line for folding across the upper edge of the back surface of the envelope and then sticking, whilst the closing flap, the front surface of the envelope and its back surface are individually furnished with openings which fit together after folding and closing the envelope. The back surface of the envelope can be furnished, on its upper edge, with an indentation for inserting the closing flap in the closed state of the envelope.

The technical solution allows the consumer to remove the labels directly from the envelope for subsequent insertion into the plastic box of the compact disc, with the least amount of waste material, being simply the left-over pieces front the front and back sides of the envelope. The printed labels can be removed from the front or back surface of the envelope, or from both.

The subject of the technical solution is further a blank for manufacturing said envelope for distribution of flat compact discs, for example CD, DVD and CD-ROM discs, which is provided with perforations in the places designated for subsequent separation and with weakened lines in the places designated for subsequent folding. The basis of the technical solution consists of the fact that it comprises a sheet of printable material, the margins of which partly match the outer edges of the envelope blank so that one margin of the sheet forms the side edge of the back surface of the pocket of the envelope, the second, opposite margin of the sheet forms the edge of the side connecting flap, and the third, lower margin of the sheet forms the edge of the lower connecting flap. The remaining parts of the contour of the envelope blank, including the closing flap, are marked by corresponding peripheral perforations. The flat parts intended to be printed on at least one side and being located on the front and back surfaces of the envelope in the folded state, are marked as separable parts by defining perforations, whilst the area for folding the front surface of the envelope towards its back surface is marked on the envelope blank by a separating attenuation. The areas for folding the connecting flaps are marked by weakened lines, and the closing flap is provided with a folding attenuation at the level of the upper outer edge of the front surface of the envelope. It is advantageous that the envelope blank allows for insertion into a standard office printer and thus permits the production of a limited series of envelopes whilst maintaining very low manufacturing costs.

The flat part on the back surface of the envelope can be furnished, in the area of its two opposite ends, with weakened lines for folding those ends during subsequent use in the packaging of compact discs. The peripheral perforation of the envelope blank on the upper edge of the back surface of the envelope can be furnished with an indentation corresponding to the anchorage of the closing flap in the folded and closed state of the envelope. The envelope blank can be furnished with a longitudinal opening in the back surface of the envelope for inserting the closing flap, which is furnished with off-cuts for subsequent formation of the securing side notches of the flap. Alternatively, the envelope blank can be furnished with three openings in the parts corresponding to the closing flap and the adjacent area of the envelope so that those openings line up after the envelope is folded and closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The technical solution is more easily explained by means of the attached drawings and the following detailed description of its arrangement and operation.

FIG. 1 shows the envelope for distribution of compact discs in its unfolded state, indicating the flaps, weakened lines and perforations and the closing means consisting of a flap adapted for folding across the back surface of the envelope and for inserting into the opening in that back surface of the envelope.

FIG. 2 shows the folded envelope seen from the front, while

FIG. 3 shows the envelope represented in FIG. 2, seen from the back.

FIG. 4 shows further embodiments of the envelope in its unfolded state according to FIG. 1, where the closing means is again in the form of a flap, adapted for folding across the back surface of the envelope, and where that flap and the front and back surface of the envelope are individually furnished with openings which line up after folding and closing the envelope.

FIG. 5 shows the blank for producing the envelope according to FIG. 1.

EXAMPLES OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The envelope for distribution of compact discs, for example CD, DVD and CD-ROM discs, according to this invention is in the shape of a pocket with upper closing means and with separable flat parts, where one of the three sides of the pocket consists of a fold and the remaining two sides consist of glued seams formed by folded connecting flaps (side connecting flap 5, and lower connecting flap 6). The front surface 3 of the envelope and its back surface 4 (or only one of these) are provided with printed labels 1, 2 for subsequent insertion into compact disc packages (plastic boxes), which are arranged as separable flat parts of the envelope with defining perforations 15, 16. The label 2 on the back surface 4 of the envelope is furnished, in the area of its two opposite ends, with weakened lines 9, 10 for bending these ends after separating the label 2 from the envelope. The upper closing means consists of a flap 7 which is part of the front surface 3 of the envelope and is adapted by means of weakened lines 13, 14 for folding across the back surface 4 of the envelope whilst, to ensure the closing of the envelope, the closing flap 7 is furnished with side notches 19, 20. In another embodiment, the upper closing means consists of a flap 7 which is part of the front surface 3 of the envelope and is adapted by means of a weakened line 13 for folding across the upper edge of the back surface 4 of the envelope and then sticking. The closing flap 7, the front surface 3 of the envelope and its back surface 4 can be individually furnished with openings 22, 23, 24 which fit together after folding and closing the envelope. The back surface 4 of the envelope is furnished, on its upper edge, with an indentation 17 for inserting the closing flap 7 in the closed state of the envelope.

In other words, the envelope for distribution of compact discs is formed by folding its front surface 3 across the back surface 4 in the area of the weakened line 8 and by attaching it by means of the side connecting flap 5 and the bottom connecting flap 6 which, after folding and applying adhesive, stick from the inside to the back surface 4 of the envelope. For easier folding the connecting flaps 5, 6 are furnished with weakened lines 11, 12. The envelope is furnished from the front with perforations 15 and from the back with perforations 16 (or other suitable means) bordering the labels 1, 2 printed on one or both sides which, after separating, cutting off or removing by other mechanical means from the front and back surfaces 3, 4 of the envelope, can be inserted into the plastic box of a compact disc.

For easier insertion into the box, the label 2 on the back surface 4 of the envelope, which must be bent on two sides during insertion into the box of the compact disc, is furnished with weakened lines 9, 10. In the event that the consumer decides to keep the compact disc in the paper envelope, its upper edge, designed for insertion and removal of the disc from the envelope, is furnished with a closing flap 7, which is part of the front surface 3 of the envelope and which, after folding in the area of the weakened line 13 across the back surface 4 of the envelope and after bending in the area of the weakened line 14, can be inserted into the cut-out longitudinal opening 18 in the back surface 4 of the envelope. To avoid spontaneous opening of the envelope, the closing flap 7 is furnished along the sides with side notches 19, 20, fitting into the cut-out longitudinal opening 18 in the back surface 4 of the envelope in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3. In order that, after folding, the closing flap 7 should not project across the free part of the envelope, the upper edge of the back side 4 of the envelope is furnished with an indentation 17 (or recess, see FIG. 1).

A suitable way of securing the envelope before distribution would be to fold the closing flap 7 across the upper edge of the envelope without inserting it into the longitudinal opening 18 and to staple that flap 7.

FIG. 4 shows a further possible embodiment of the upper closing means of the envelope, consisting of a closing flat 7 which is part of the front surface 3 of the envelope and which, after folding in the area of the weakened line 13 across the upper edge of the envelope, is stuck to the back surface 4 of the envelope. In order that, after folding, the closing flap 7 should not project across the upper edge of the envelope, the upper edge of the back side of the envelope is furnished with an indentation 17. The closing flap 7 and the front and back surfaces 3, 4 of the envelope are individually furnished with openings 22, 23, 24 which fit together after folding the envelope, that is they form one opening for suspending the envelope.

FIG. 5 shows a blank for making the above described envelope according to FIG. 1, which is manufactured by means of a die. The envelope blank according to FIG. 1, together with the adjacent separable edges 25, 26, 27, form a sheet of paper of a size which can be inserted into a standard office printer, the printing and subsequent folding of the enveloped being carried out by the user. For easy removal from the envelope, the separable edges 25, 26, 27 are connected to the envelope perforations 28, 29, 30, which form part of the future periphery of the envelope (for that reason they are called peripheral perforations). The blank for manufacturing the envelope thus comprises a sheet of printable material the margins of which partly match the outer edges of the envelope blank so that one margin of the sheet forms the side edge of the back surface 4 of the pocket of the envelope, the second, opposite margin of the sheet forms the edge of the side connecting flap 5, and the third, lower margin of the sheet forms the edge of the lower connecting flap 6. The remaining parts of the contour of the envelope blank, including the closing flap 7, are marked by corresponding peripheral perforations 28, 29, 30. The flat parts intended to be printed on at least one side and being located on the front surface 3 and back surface 4 of the envelope in the folded state, are marked as separable parts by defining perforations 15, 16. The area for folding the front surface 3 of the envelope towards its back surface 4 is marked on the envelope blank by a separating weakened line 8, the areas for folding the connecting flaps 5, 6 are marked by weakened lines 11, 12, and the closing flap 7 is provided with a folding attenuation, a weakened line 13 at the level of the upper outer edge of the front surface 3 of the envelope.

The envelope for distribution of compact discs is suitable primarily for the distribution of compact discs with newspapers and magazines, for sending discs by post and also in cases where emphasis is placed on space saving and low manufacturing costs. It is advantageous that the envelope blank allows for insertion into a standard office printer and thus permits the production of a limited series of envelopes whilst maintaining very low manufacturing costs, with a minimal amount of waste, being simply the small left-over pieces of paper. 

1. An envelope for distribution of compact discs, for example CD, DVD and CD-ROM discs, which is in the shape of a pocket with upper closing means and with separable flat parts, where one of the three sides of the pocket consists of a fold and the remaining two sides consist of glued seams formed by folded connecting flaps, wherein the front surface of the envelope and/or its back surface is provided with at least one printed label for insertion into compact disc packages, preferably arranged as a separable flat part of the envelope with defining perforations.
 2. An envelope according to claim 1, wherein the label on the back surface of the envelope is furnished, in the area of its two opposite ends, with weakened lines for bending these ends after separating the label from the envelope.
 3. An envelope according to claim 1, wherein the upper closing means consists of a flap which is part of the front surface of the envelope and is adapted by means of weakened lines for folding across the back surface of the envelope, wherein to ensure the closing of the envelope, the closing flap is furnished with side notches.
 4. An envelope according to claim 1, wherein the upper closing means consists of a flap which is part of the front surface of the envelope and is adapted by means of a weakened line for folding across the upper edge of the back surface of the envelope and then sticking, wherein the closing flap, the front surface of the envelope and its back surface are individually furnished with openings which fit together after folding and closing the envelope.
 5. An envelope according to claim 1, wherein the back surface of the envelope is furnished, on its upper edge, with an indentation for inserting the closing flap in the closed state of the envelope.
 6. A blank for manufacturing an envelope for distribution of flat compact discs, for example CD, DVD and CD-ROM discs, according to claim 1, which is provided with perforations in the places designated for subsequent separation and with weakened lines in the places designated for subsequent folding, wherein it comprises a sheet of printable material, the margins of which partly match the outer edges of the envelope blank so that one margin of the sheet forms the side edge of the back surface of the pocket of the envelope, the second, opposite margin of the sheet forms the edge of the side connecting flap, and the third, lower margin of the sheet forms the edge of the lower connecting flap, wherein the remaining parts of the contour of the envelope blank, including the closing flap, are marked by corresponding peripheral perforations and wherein the flat parts intended to be printed on at least one side and being located on the front surface and back surface of the envelope in the folded state, are marked as separable parts by defining perforations, wherein the area for folding the front surface of the envelope towards its back surface is marked on the envelope blank by a separating weakened line, the areas for folding the connecting flaps are marked by weakened lines, and the closing flap is provided with a folding attenuation at the level of the upper outer edge of the front surface of the envelope.
 7. A blank for manufacturing an envelope according to claim 6, wherein the flat part on the back surface of the envelope is furnished, in the area of its two opposite ends, with weakened lines for folding those ends during subsequent use in the packaging of compact discs.
 8. A blank for manufacturing an envelope according to claim 6, wherein the peripheral perforation of the envelope blank on the upper edge of the back surface of the envelope is furnished with an indentation corresponding to the anchorage of the closing flap in the folded and closed state of the envelope.
 9. A blank for manufacturing an envelope according to claim 6, wherein the envelope blank is furnished with a longitudinal opening in the back surface of the envelope for inserting the closing flap, which is furnished with off-cuts for subsequent formation of the securing side notches of the flap.
 10. A blank for manufacturing an envelope according to claim 6, wherein the envelope blank is furnished with three openings in the parts corresponding to the closing flap and the adjacent area of the envelope so that those openings line up after the envelope is folded and closed. 